Bumping post



5 Sheets-Sheet 1 S. W. HAYES BUMPING POST ill Sept. 11, 1962 Filed Oct. 28, 1960 zzvmvron.

STANLEY W. HAYES ,Mw/% TEFL-Z E- W7 BY p 11, 1962 s. w. HAYES 3,053,202

BUMPING POST Filed 001.. 28, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 um, .mHL Afl nu INVENTOR.

Ii STANLEY W. HAYES S. W. HAYES BUMPING POST Sept. 11, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 28, 1960 JNVENTOR. STANLEY W. HAYES S. W. HAYES BUMPING POST Sept. 11, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 28, 1960 ffiU INVENTOR. STANLEY W. HAYES fw H5- Sept. 11, 1962 s. w. HAYES 3,053,202

I BUMPING POST nvmvrog T 7 STANLEY W. HAYES nited states The present invention relates to improvements in bumping posts and particularly bumping posts of the type in which a bumper head is supported substantially centrally between and above the rails by tension and compression means. The invention is an improvement over devices shown in application Serial No. 831,665, filed August 4, 1959; application Serial No. 784,734, filed January 2, 1959 (now patent No. 2,991,727) and of application Serial No. 431,978, filed May 24, 1954, all assigned to the assignee of this application.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved bumping post of the cushion type in which the forces of impact are transmitted in the main to the road bed in such manner that there is no damage to the car or its lading or to the post or to the track and resulting in a minimum displacement of ties and ballast.

A more specific object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved bumping post which is constructed and arranged so that undue friction or engagement between the rails and post is avoided, whereby movement of the post will not be substantially retarded by the rails.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a bumping post with new and improved guiding means cooperating with the rail which is simple and strong in construction and operates effectively for its intended purpose.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved bumping post with guiding means which is adjustable so as to enable the bumping post readily to be applied to rails of varying sizes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved bumping post having strengthened corner joints.

In brief, the bumping post of the present invention in cludes a bumper head supported by tension and compression members of which the former extend downwardly, forwardly, and divergently outwardly from the bumper head toward the rails and the latter extend downwardly outwardly and rearwardly from the head. The lower ends of the tension and compression members are connected, as by Welding, to a generally quadrangular or rectangular base frame constituted by front and rear cross members and longitudinally extending side members. The frame is of heavy construction and additional strength and rigidity are provided by a diagonal bracing structure located within the base frame and interconnecting the corners thereof. In the main, the bumping post seats upon and is supported by a number of cross ties upon which the frame rests. In addition, the post includes means preventing upward movement of the front end of the post and downward movement of the rear end under car impact and guidingly associating it with the rails. These means are located at each of the four corners of the post and extend outwardly from the frame. Each includes guiding structure loosely encircling or embracing a substantial portion of the rail or most of the rail and having portions disposed below the rail head. These structures are designed normally to have substantial clearance from the rail so that movement of the post will not be retarded atent Patented Sept. 11, 1962 by the rail under stopping impact. Also, four dependent structures extending into the track bed are provided, two at the front and two at the rear, whereby forces of impact are better transmitted to the ties and ballast.

In one embodiment, the guiding structures include a generally vertically disposed plate 'apertured to receive and constructed to straddle the rail with clearance of about one-half inch around the rail head. Each plate has secured to it four movably mounted lugs movable to a displaced position whereby the post can be lowered upon the track for installation and to an installed position in which they are located with portions below the rail head and spaced about one-half inch from the underside of the rail head and the web of the rail.

In another embodiment, the guiding structures are constituted by generally 0 shaped elements arranged so as substantially to encircle the rail head and which are movably mounted and are vertically adjustable.

In a third embodiment, the guiding structures are adjustable to fit various sizes of rails.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, in the course of which reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the bumping post of the present invention shown installed upon the track, the track being shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the post;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the post;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged front view of one of the guiding structures, the view being taken along the line 66 of FIG. 3

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged side view of one of the guiding structures, the view being taken along the line 77 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 of a modified form of guiding structure;

FIG. 9 is a similar view of further modification;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a modified form of post having holding and guiding means adjustable to various sizes of rails and gauges;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the post of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the post of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view along the line 13-43 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 12 showing the holding and guiding means with a different spacing between the rails; and

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIGS. 6, 8 and 9 of a further modfication of the guiding structure.

Referring now to the drawings and first to FIGS. 1 to 7, the bumping post of the present invention as a whole is indicated by the reference character 10. It comprises a bumper head '12 supported slightly ofi-center with respect to a pair of rails 14 which are suitably secured in conventional manner by spikes upon the cross ties 18 in the ballast 20 as shown in FIG. 1.

The bumper head 12 is mounted at the upper ends of a pair of compression members 22, forming part of a compression unit indicated as a whole by the reference character 24, secured at their lower ends to a cross piece 26 of channel section with a vertically disposed web 26A and horizontally disposed flanges 26B and forming part of a generally rectangular or quadrangular base frame constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention and indicated as a whole by reference character 30. The bumper head is supported also by a pair of tension members 32 forming part of an integral tension unit 33 and the bight 34 of which surrounds the bumper head and having their lower ends secured to a cross piece 36 of channel section with a vertical web 36A and horizontal flanges 3613. The compression members diverge outwardly, downwardly and rearwardly from the bumper head and the tension members diverge outwardly, downwardly and forwardly from the bumper head. The tension and compression members are secured to the bumper head to provide a strong and rigid structure. As far as the present invention is concerned, the bumper head and tension and compression units and the manner in which they are secured to each other may follow known art, the present invention having to do with the base unit and its relation to the track structure and to the compression and tension units and by means of which the post as a whole is slidably mounted relative to the rails.

The base frame or unit 30 includes the compression and tension cross pieces 26 and 36, respectively, and a pair of longitudinally extending side frame members 38 which like the cross members are formed of heavy channel sections having vertical webs 38A and horizontal flanges 38B and which are welded at their ends to the cross members and the lower ends of the tension and compression members as will be described shortly.

Substantial rigidity is given to the post by a heavy cross brace structure indicated as a whole by the reference character 40 substantially in the plane of the end and side members of the base unit 30. It comprises a first diagonal brace 42 and a second two-part diagonal brace 44, the two parts of which are indicated by reference characters A and B. The ends of the braces are welded to the upper sides of generally triangular corner plates or braces 46 welded to the corners of the base frame above the lower flanges of the frame parts. The central parts are strengthened and joined to each other and to a horizontal generally rectangular plate 48. Additional rigidity is provided at the corner by a second set of triangular brace plates 50 spaced somewhat above and larger than the brace plates 46. They too are welded to the frame members.

The lower ends of compression members 22 are welded to the compression cross piece 26, to the upper sides of brace plates 50 and to small upstanding plate 52 welded to the upper side of the crosspiece at the ends of the members. This construction provides a very rugged corner construction.

The lower ends of the tension members 32 are welded to upper sides of the lower brace plates 46 and to the frame members. They are also welded to the cooperating brace plates 50, which are apertured so that the members 32 can extend through plates 50 and down against plates 46.

The base frame 30 is of a size so htat it seats upon the ties, as best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5. It is operatively and guidingly connected to the rails by suitable guiding and holding means constructed and arranged so that the post is eradily slidable relative to the rails without any binding and so that it can be installed on rails spaced apart somewhat different distances and having different heights and which prevents upward movement of the front end of the post and downward movement of the rear end of the post under stopping impact.

The operative connection between the base and the rails is through holding and guiding means at each of the 'four corners of the base unit and each indicated by the reference character 54. The holding and guiding means 54 are of like construction so that only one will be described but the like parts of all will be indicated by the same reference characters. The holding and guiding means 54 includes a vertical main bracket 56 secured to the upper side of the horizontal flange 38B, to vertical flange 38A of the side frame member 38 and to a side of a tension or compression member. The bracket 56 includes a dependent portion 56A welded to the web 38A of the side frame member and extending laterally outwardly to beyond the rail. It is slotted, as indicated by reference character 568 so that it can be readily placed over and so as to overlie the rail, thus to enable the post to be placed in position on the track, and to provide a space of about one-half inch between the bracket and rail head, whereby the guiding means is substantially spaced from the rail. The guiding means includes a pair of generally pawl shaped lugs 58 on each side of bracket 56 and each side of the rail, and extending when installed in position, after the post has been placed on the track, to below the rail head and also spaced about onehalf inch from the rail head and web. The lugs are mounted on upper through bolts 60 and rest on lower bolts 62. They are secured in place by the bolt heads and nuts. The construction is thus such that the guiding and holding means do not interfere or bind when the bumping post is struck and moved by a moving car.

Bracing for the brackets 56 are provided by vertical plates 64 welded to the upper flange 38B of the side frame member and upper point of the bracket. Additional bracing in provided by laterally extending slanting braces 66 welded to opposite sides of bracket 56 and to plates 64.

The stopping impact is transmitted to the ties and ballast to provide a cushion stop by four thrust transmitting structures, those associated with the compression unit being indicated by the reference characters 70 and those associated with the tension unit by reference characters 72. Each of the structures 70 is constituted by a vertical support plate 74 of rectangular shape and having a portion of one side welded to a vertical flange of the compression crosspiece. Each includes also a pair of horizontal brace plates 75 welded to the compression crosspiece and vertical plate. A force distributing element 76 is located on the dependent portion of each of plates 74 for engagement by an associated tie.

Each of structures 72 includes a dependent vertical plate 77 welded to the tension crosspiece and having a force distributing plate 78 attached to it for abutting engagement with a cross tie.

It will be observed from the foregoing detailed description that the bumping post may be readily constructed and installed with a minimum of labor. The bumping post can be built as a unit ready for installation on the rails. Once it is placed on the rails, all that is necessary is that the lugs 58 be secured relative to the rail head as described above and the bumping post is then ready for immediate operation. If desired, in installation the lugs 58 can be suspended loosely from bolts 60 with bolts 62 removed. After being placed on the rails, the lugs can be positioned and bolts 60 tightened and bolts 62 installed.

In operation, the coupling of a railroad car will strike the bumper head 12 and the car will be stopped in a cushioned manner by the bumping post which transmits the force of the impact to the ties and ballast. The bumping post, which is seated upon the ties, is moved along the ties and there is very little likelihood of damage either to the post or to the track.

A slightly modified form of lug is shown in FIG. 8. In it, the cams, indicated by reference characters 80, are somewhat more rectangular in shape.

The lugs 82 of the embodiment of FIG. 9 are trapezoidal in shape and they are held by both of bolts 60 and 62. Thus, an even more rugged construction is provided.

A further modification utilizing generally rectangular lug plates is shown in FIG. 15. The bolts 84 and lug plates 86 are arranged to present a greater cross section area to withstand forces resulting from upward movement of the post. Otherwise viewed, the lug plates 86 are inclined upwardly and inwardly toward the center of the rail. The lug plates are mounted on generally L- shaped brackets 85 secured to the frame and tension and compression members. An aperture 86A is provided in each bracket for encirclement of the rail. Strengthening is provided by peripheral bars 87 and 88.

In the embodiments described above, the post can be adapted for different size rails by locating the holes for the lug supporting bolts, and thus the lugs, in positions to provide the desired clearance around the rail. In the embodiment of FIGS. to 14, the holding and guiding means is constructed so as to be adjustably mounted for a different size of rail and a different rail spacing or gauge.

The bumping post of FIGS. 10 to 14 is substantially like that previously described except for the holding and guiding means 100. There are four of these and as they are substantially alike only one will be described, and the same reference characters will be applied to all. In the main, each includes a generally C-shaped rail head encircling element 102 adapted in some installations, see FIG. 13, to be spaced from the rail head. The bight of the element has attached to it a threaded support 104 movably suspended from an overhanging bracket 106 including a generally right angled bracket EMA-406B arm apertured at 112 in a horizontal portion to receive support 104 and a horizontal brace 110 extending and welded to a compression or tension member. The vertical portion 106B of the bracket arm passes through upper horizontal flange 38B of the frame member and abuts against upper triangular corner brace plate 50. It is welded to these, thereby to provide adequate strength. The aperture 112 is provided with a double ohamfer, the upper one of Which receives in ball and socket fashion a nut 114 whereby the guiding means is pivotally suspended from the bracket. In FIG. 13, the guiding means is shown in vertical dependent position and with element 102 spaced from the rail head. In FIG. 14, it is shown around a slightly larger rail head and with the rails (only one shown) spaced further apart than in FIG. 13.

In installation of the holding and guiding means of FIGS. 10 to 14, the elements 100 have to be threaded on the rail heads.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described in connection with the details of specific embodiments, it should be understood that such details are not intended to be limitative of the invention except insofar as set forth in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A bumping post for installation on track rails, including in combination, divergent compression and tension members having their lower ends adjacent the rails, a bumper head supported by said members, a generally rectangular frame located generally in the plane of the rails and seated upon the ties between the rails and secured at its corners to the compression and tension members, said frame including thrust transmitting structure adjacent its front and rear ends extending below the rails into engagement with rail supporting cross ties for transmitting the force of impact to the ties and ballast, and means at each corner of the frame encircling the rail head in substantial spaced relationship relative to the head for guidingly associating the post relative to the rails.

2. A bumping post for installation on track rails, including in combination, divergent compression and tension members having their lower ends adjacent the rails, a bumper head supported by said members, a generally rectangular frame located generally in the plane of the rails and seated upon the ties between the rails and secured at its corners to the compression and tension members, said frame including longitudinal members of channel section arranged parallel to the rails, said frame also including thrust transmitting structure adjacent its front and rear ends extending below the rails into engagement with rail supporting cross ties for transmitting the force of impact to the ties and ballast, and means at each corner of the frame encircling the rail head for guidingly associating the post relative to the rails, each said last mentioned means including a vertically disposed supporting plate extending from the frame outwardly beyond the rail and partially encircling the rail, and lug means supported on opposite sides of said vertical plate and at opposite sides of the rail and each having portions extending underneath the rail head.

3. A bumping post for installation on track rails, including in combination, divergent compression and tension members having their lower ends adjacent the rails, a bumper head supported by said members, a generally rectangular frame located generally in the plane of the rails and seated upon the ties between the rails and secured at its corners to the compression and tension members, said frame including longitudinal members of channel section arranged parallel to the rails, said frame also including thrust transmitting structure adjacent its front and rear ends extending below the rails into engagement With rail supporting cross ties for transmitting the force of impact to the ties and ballast, and means at each corner of the frame encircling the rail head for guidingly associating the post relative to the rails, each said last mentioned means including a vertically disposed supporting plate extending from the frame outwardly beyond the rail and partially encircling the rail, and lug means supported on opposite sides of said vertical plate and at opposite sides of the rail and each having portions extending underneath the rail head, said vertically disposed plates extending to and being secured to associated compression and tension members.

4. A bumping post for installation on track rails, including in combination, divergent compression and tension members having their lower ends adjacent the rails, a bumper head supported by said members, a generally rectangular frame located generally in the plane of the rails and seated upon the ties between the rails and secured at its corners to the compression and tension members, said frame including longitudinal members of channel section arranged parallel to the rails, said frame also including thrust transmitting structure adjacent its front and rear ends extending below the rails into engagement with rail supporting cross ties for transmitting the force of impact to the ties and ballast, and means at each corner of the frame encircling the rail head for guidingly associating the post relative to the rails, each said last mentioned means including a vertically disposed supporting plate extending from the frame outwardly beyond the rail, and partially encircling the rail, and lug means supported on opposite sides of said vertical plate and at opposite sides of the rail, and each having portions extending underneath the rail head, said vertically disposed plates extending to and being secured to associated compression and tension members, and generally horizontally disposed strengthening plates being secured to opposite sides of each vertically disposed plate and to the frame.

5. A bumping post for installation on track rails, including in combination, divergent compression and tension members having their lower ends adjacent the rails, a bumper head supported by said members, a generally rectangular frame located generally in the plane of the rails and seated upon the ties between the rails. and secured at its corners to the compression and tension members, said frame including thrust transmitting structure adjacent its front and rear ends extending below the rails into engagement with rail supporting cross ties for transmitting the force of impact to the ties and ballast, and pivotally mounted means at each corner of the frame encircling the rail head in spaced relationship relative to the head for guidingly associating the post relative to the rails.

6. A bumping post for installation on track rails, including in combination, divergent compression and tension members having their lower ends adjacent the rails, a bumper head supported by said members, a generally rectangular frame located generally in the plane of the rails and seated upon the ties between the rails and secured at its corners to the compression and tension members, diagonal cross bracing between the four corners of the frame, and corner bracing plates at each corner of the frame located above the cross bracing thereat, both the compression and tension members being secured to said corner bracing plates.

7. A bumping post as claimed in claim 6, wherein said tension members extend through the corner bracing plates associated therewith to and are secured to the cross bracing.

8. A bumping post as claimed in claim 2 wherein the lug means at the opposite sides are movably supported on a pair of bolts.

9. A bumping post as claimed in claim 8 wherein one of the bolts goes through the lug means and the latter rests on the other of the bolts.

10. A bumping post as claimed in claim 8 wherein both bolts go through the lug means.

11. A bumping post as claimed in claim 10 wherein the bolts are located so that the upperone is closer to the rail head than the lower and the lug means is constituted by a generally rectangular plate inclined upwardly and toward the center of the rail.

12. A bumping post as claimed in claim 2 wherein said lug means are constituted by generally rectangular plates.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,764,182 Rawson June 17, 1930 1,827,288 Hayes Oct. 13, 1931 1,864,539 Hayes June 28, 1932 2,073,694 Hayes Mar. 16, 1937 2,194,124 Rhodes Mar. 19, 1940 2,499,955 Holmested Mar. 7, 1950 2,807,220 McDowell Sept. 24, 1957 2,991,727 Hayes July 11, 1961 

